Xiao Teng stepped forward, hands behind his back, smugly declaring, "No invitation means no qualification. You clearly weren't chosen by any girl, so you have no right to be here."
"Is this rule set by you? Do you, Xiao Teng, really think so highly of yourself that you disregard the three village chiefs?" Xiao Ye's voice turned icy.
"You!" Xiao Teng choked on his words, his face flushing with anger.
Though sending invitations was customary, there was no explicit rule barring men without one from attending. Moreover, the three esteemed chiefs were present. If he continued arguing, he'd appear disrespectful.
Xiao Ye coldly swept his gaze over Xiao Teng before bowing to the chiefs. "Village Chiefs, Wu Xiang, Shi Xiang."
"Xiao Teng, step down," growled Xiao Tianxiong, his face grim. Disappointment weighed on him. Xiao Teng's impatience and lack of composure boded ill for his future. The precious Jiaoshe Blood he'd painstakingly acquired had been wasted on someone so unworthy.
"Son, it's just too late for you to awaken," Xiao Tianxiong sighed silently.
"Hmph!" Xiao Teng scoffed, retreating to his seat. "In the upcoming sparring matches, don't expect me to go easy on you. I'll crush you!"
Firecrackers erupted as the New Year's feast began. The central plaza of Qingyang Town buzzed with energy, thousands of tables laden with food and laughter.
An hour later, a burly man named Xiao Dashan strode onto the stage. "Settle down! The Marriage Selection Assembly begins now! All eligible women, step forward!"
A procession of girls in crimson gowns emerged, their faces flushed with shyness. At the front stood Wu Meier, her curves drawing admiring glances.
"Damn, look at her drool!"
"I'd give ten years of my life just to marry her!"
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Wu Meier puffed her chest, surveying the men like a princess. *How dare they stare at me?* she thought smugly. But when her eyes landed on Xiao Ye, who remained engrossed in eating, her expression twisted. *Does even a dish of food interest her more than me?*
"After the feast, I'll make Xiao Ye beg for death!" she vowed.
"Let the games begin!" Xiao Dashan announced, unfurling a list. "Eligible men will duel under these rules: no lethal force."
The crowd buzzed as Xiao Ye listened. Six hundred fifty-five suitors would battle in rounds until one remained. The top five—those with the most invitations—would skip the chaos.
Xiao Ye's heart swelled with resolve. *Let them see. I'll rise from obscurity and stun everyone.*
"Take your seats!" Xiao Dashan called. Six tiger-skin chairs were brought forth—the Tiger Thrones, symbols of prestige.
"Xiao Teng of Xiao Clan Village, sixty invitations—first throne!"
"Shi Bo of Shi Clan Village, twenty-two—second throne!"
As names echoed, Xiao Teng smirked from his throne. "I wonder if Xiao Ye can even reach the sixth throne. He won't last past the first round."
"We'll see," Xiao Ye replied calmly. "But don't get too comfortable. I'll take your seat soon."
The crowd erupted in murmurs. Though Xiao Ye was no longer the "genius," his talent was undeniable. If not for his coma, he'd have ranked among the top five.
"Xiao Ye, are you ready?" Xiao Yang, his father, fretted.
"Don't worry," Xiao Ye said confidently. "Six hundred men? I'll climb over them all."
On the stage, Xiao Dashan raised a hand. "First match: Xiao Ye vs. Wu Dou of Wu Clan Village!"
The crowd gasped. Wu Dou, a battle-hardened veteran at twenty-five, smirked. "Lucky me—finally, a worthy opponent!"
Xiao Ye stepped onto the stage, unfazed. Wu Dou lunged with a punch, but Xiao Ye vanished, reappearing behind him.
"One move," Xiao Ye said softly, slamming a palm into Wu Dou's back. The man crumpled off the stage.
Silence fell. The crowd stared, stunned by the swift victory.